Ezulwini Lodges
Billy's Lodge & River Lodge Olifants West Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
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About
5.0
#5 of 13 lodges in Balule Nature ReserveLocation
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ezulwini, the Zulu word for 'Place of Paradise', is situated in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, within the Greater Kruger National Park, where Africa remains unspoiled. Ezulwini prides itself on being able to offer an exceptional African setting, indigenous fauna and flora as well as unique character and charm, to provide you with an authentic experience. Ezulwini Billy's Lodge, situated on undulating plains, is nestled deep in the heart of lion country and offers three standard chalets as well as three ultra-luxury suites. Ezulwini River Lodge is on the notable Olifants River, within a large riverine habitat and affords wonderful sightings of elephant, hippo and crocodile. River Lodge offers 4 standard chalets, 4 ultra-luxury suites (including honeymoon suite) and a family suite adjoining the main lodge area. All ultra-luxury suites have their own lounge area, private deck & plunge pool, indoor & outdoor shower plus super king-sized bed. Let us help you make dreams come true!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Board games / puzzles
Airport transportation
Foot massage
24-hour security
Secured parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Plunge pool
Shallow end in pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Massage
Neck massage
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
First aid kit
Umbrella
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Sofa bed
Walk-in shower
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Seating area
Separate living room
Sofa
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Electric kettle
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Landmark view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
River View
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Hotel links
Location
Billy's Lodge & River Lodge Olifants West Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
Getting there
Hoedspruit Airport
23.7 km•
See all flights
Phalaborwa Airport
40.4 km•
See all flights
1 Restaurant
within 10 kilometers
Reviews
5.0
437 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Ezulwini Lodges stands out for its seamless blend with nature, offering luxurious comfort that has earned the admiration of guests for its spacious suites. Many travelers highlight the cleanliness of both the rooms, which enjoy meticulous twice-daily cleaning, and the well-maintained grounds. The rooms' cleanliness and comfort, complemented by beautiful appointments, are consistently praised.
Reviewers are also impressed by the high level of service provided by the attentive staff. Amenities, including the immersive safari experiences, contribute to the lodge's popularity, making it a top choice for a luxurious escape.
Atmosphere
Luxurious
Rooms
Comfortable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Detailed Reviews
+1
Property's Favourite Review
After a three-year delay in travels, my sister, friend and I finally made it to South Africa and our stay at Ezulwini’s River Lodge and Billy’s Lodge. And wow was it worth the wait.
Pre-trip, Frances was always very responsive to my questions and made the planning part of the trip seamless.
We flew from Cape Town to Hoedspruit and were met at the airport by our driver for the trip to the River Lodge. Even on this first part of the trip we were lucky enough to see elephants and giraffes.
At River Lodge, we were spoiled by Ange and Glory, and at Billy’s Lodge by Knox and Sue, along with the rest of staff who may be behind the scenes but all did their part to make our stay wonderful. Everyone’s attention to detail is phenomenal, but what really made it memorable was how genuinely kind and personable everyone is.
The lodges themselves are really lovely, with comfortable main outdoor seating areas and aerial walkways that let you get an above ground view. Meals are served open-air, letting you enjoy the outdoors. Our rooms (Ntoma at River and Molope at Billy’s) were perfect for the three of us. They both have a plunge pool and deck where you can sit outside and enjoy the sounds of the Bush.
The safari drives are breathtaking and exceptional. Craig, Shad, Hector and Rich at River, and Christian and Conrad at Billy’s are masters at what they do - sharing information that really takes you beyond just seeing the “Big Five,” to really experience the beauty and importance of all the animals and the area. The coffee stops and sundowners gave us a chance to stretch our legs, and enjoy a little nip of Amarula in our coffee, or a Six Dogs Blue gin and tonic.
The meals are wonderful. They are also very accommodating to anyone with dietary restrictions. We enjoyed wine tastings at both lodges - thanks Ange and Lauren for sharing your expertise and stories about the early days of Ezulwini. Sue also does a wonderful outdoor massage.
We were also fortunate to have a wonderful group of people staying at the lodges, and all got along so well, which really just added to the fun.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the trip or from the lodges since it was my first safari, but I have to say that Ezulwini has set the bar very high. If I was taking safari newbies somewhere, I couldn’t think of a better spot than River and Billy’s lodges - as I know everyone would have the same stellar experience as we did. I can’t wait until the next time.
Pre-trip, Frances was always very responsive to my questions and made the planning part of the trip seamless.
We flew from Cape Town to Hoedspruit and were met at the airport by our driver for the trip to the River Lodge. Even on this first part of the trip we were lucky enough to see elephants and giraffes.
At River Lodge, we were spoiled by Ange and Glory, and at Billy’s Lodge by Knox and Sue, along with the rest of staff who may be behind the scenes but all did their part to make our stay wonderful. Everyone’s attention to detail is phenomenal, but what really made it memorable was how genuinely kind and personable everyone is.
The lodges themselves are really lovely, with comfortable main outdoor seating areas and aerial walkways that let you get an above ground view. Meals are served open-air, letting you enjoy the outdoors. Our rooms (Ntoma at River and Molope at Billy’s) were perfect for the three of us. They both have a plunge pool and deck where you can sit outside and enjoy the sounds of the Bush.
The safari drives are breathtaking and exceptional. Craig, Shad, Hector and Rich at River, and Christian and Conrad at Billy’s are masters at what they do - sharing information that really takes you beyond just seeing the “Big Five,” to really experience the beauty and importance of all the animals and the area. The coffee stops and sundowners gave us a chance to stretch our legs, and enjoy a little nip of Amarula in our coffee, or a Six Dogs Blue gin and tonic.
The meals are wonderful. They are also very accommodating to anyone with dietary restrictions. We enjoyed wine tastings at both lodges - thanks Ange and Lauren for sharing your expertise and stories about the early days of Ezulwini. Sue also does a wonderful outdoor massage.
We were also fortunate to have a wonderful group of people staying at the lodges, and all got along so well, which really just added to the fun.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the trip or from the lodges since it was my first safari, but I have to say that Ezulwini has set the bar very high. If I was taking safari newbies somewhere, I couldn’t think of a better spot than River and Billy’s lodges - as I know everyone would have the same stellar experience as we did. I can’t wait until the next time.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 23 Oct 2023
Dear Kashou106, thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review about your stay at Ezulwini RIver and Billy's Lodges, we really appreciate it. It was an absolute pleasure to host you, your sister and friend at our lodges and your lovely description of your overall experience and feelings about your stay mean a great deal to us. We have passed on your lovely comments to the teams at both lodges, They will be absolutely thrilled to know that they made your stay so special. As you have stated, we do our very best to cater for guests with special dietary requirements and our management team and chefs will ensure that menus are 'tweaked' so that those guests don't feel left out or provided with inferior meals just because they can't eat or drink specific things. It is a vital part of the overall amazing Ezulwini Lodges experience that we are particularly proud of. That together with the wine tasting and the relaxing massages, makes it just perfect. Thank you also for sharing that your experience was enhanced by the other guests staying at the same time, whilst we of course cannot take credit for them being so nice, it is great to know that they helped with you having such a lovely time. Many of our guests have not been on a safari before and always go away with the same feelings, but others who have been, also say this, but thank you again for advising that we have set the bar high, that is appreciated. You arrived at Ezulwini Lodges as 'strangers' but went away as a friend so please do keep in touch, you will always be welcomed back to the Ezulwini Family should you wish to return at some point in the future. Take care,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A stay at Ezulwini Game Lodges is to experience safari game drives at their finest.
Angele and Craig are the most gracious, skilled, and friendly lodge hosts. They seamlessly coordinate the staff, catering to each guest's needs while sharing stories from their extensive bush experience.
The River Lodge rooms were large, clean and very comfortable. Meal choices were always available, including tailoring for dietary restrictions, and were attractively presented in the manner of fine restaurants. Great selection of wine and spirits. Fun touches that evoked the golden age of travel included steamed washcloths after game drive, turn down service and a carafe in the room of Sedgwicks Old Brown Sherry to toast to good luck on safari.
Frans and Richard were expert at locating all Big 5 animals, a wild dog pack (twice), many antelope species (including a handsome Kudo male), giraffe, hippos (plus many more) while keeping safety foremost. Witnessing a leopard lose its kill to hyenas reminded us how close we are to the natural food chain.
It truly was the experience of a lifetime; we highly recommend Ezulwini Game Lodges.
Angele and Craig are the most gracious, skilled, and friendly lodge hosts. They seamlessly coordinate the staff, catering to each guest's needs while sharing stories from their extensive bush experience.
The River Lodge rooms were large, clean and very comfortable. Meal choices were always available, including tailoring for dietary restrictions, and were attractively presented in the manner of fine restaurants. Great selection of wine and spirits. Fun touches that evoked the golden age of travel included steamed washcloths after game drive, turn down service and a carafe in the room of Sedgwicks Old Brown Sherry to toast to good luck on safari.
Frans and Richard were expert at locating all Big 5 animals, a wild dog pack (twice), many antelope species (including a handsome Kudo male), giraffe, hippos (plus many more) while keeping safety foremost. Witnessing a leopard lose its kill to hyenas reminded us how close we are to the natural food chain.
It truly was the experience of a lifetime; we highly recommend Ezulwini Game Lodges.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 6 Jun 2022
Dear swinsv1, we appreciate you letting us know that you had an amazing time at Ezulwini, thank you very much for for your kind words. It was a pleasure to host you and we made sure that the team see your lovely comment, they will be delighted to know that they have made your time there so special. Please do keep in touch, you will be very welcome to come back to the Ezulwini Family should you wish to return at some point in the future. Take care and best wishes.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Just AMAZING!!! Our family had a vacation of a life time! It was such a wonderful experience that we just cannot stop speaking about. From the moment you arrive, the lodge management and staff will make you feel at home and ensure everything is perfect. At both lodges, the chalets were beautiful, the food is delicious and the game drives were amazing. Ange and Craig were exceptional hosts at River lodge. The safari guides and trackers were excellent. At River Lodge, Hector and Richard found the Big 5 and so much more by the third morning. They also found beautiful locations to stop for unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. At Billy’s Lodge, Knox was a great host, Sue made sure we well taken care of, and Frans and Chris continued to take us on amazing game drives. Chris was very passionate and knowledgeable and they taught us so much about the animals, the birds, the plants and how tribes have survived in the bush. We were also very lucky to meet and spend time there with another great family and make new friendships. My family cannot say enough good things about Ezulwini! For an unforgettable safari experience you must go to Ezulwini!!
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 26 Jun 2023
Dear georgecN8166CA, we very much appreciate you letting us know that you and your family had an amazing safari experience at Ezulwini Lodges, thank you so much for letting us know. It was very much our pleasure to host you all at our lodges and thank you also for taking the time to describe your visit at both River and Billy's Lodges. We are so glad that you all enjoyed everything about your stay, and also particularly being able to make bonds with new friends and take away many happy memories. We have passed all of your lovely comments on to the teams at each lodge, they will be so happy to know that they have made your time there so amazing. Please keep in touch, you will always be welcomed back to the Ezulwini Family should you wish to return at some point in the future. Take care and best wishes.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
An overpriced experience. Definitely not a 5 star lodge at all. The staff are very friendly and helpful and I can't fault with them at all. What I have a major problem with is what you pay for. Compared to other lodges like Thorny Bush and various other in Sabi Sabi in the same price range this is a definite no no. It advertised a mini bar which is far from that. If you want something they will put it in you barfridge. No bottled water is supplied in the room just a jug of water that is put in the fridge. You have to ask for milk to be able to make coffee but with loadshedding that is also not possible as the generator can't power that. I can't believe that a 5 star resort do not have a workable solution for their guest. The generator only powers the lights and ceiling fans. That gets switched off around 10.30pm and when you have loadshedding till 1 in the morning in that extreme heat it is definitely not a pleasure with no lights or any form of cooling. Sorry but this is unacceptable for the price you pay. The room itself is spacious but needs an urgent refurbishment. When one look at the food then it also raise concerns. The food is basic and tasteful but nothing to write home about. The first evening you had a choice between a stew or a chicken leg and thigh. Really for the amount you spent? I do believe that the real question I always ask is, will I go back and the answer is a definite no.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 30 Jan 2023
Dear PieterK702, thank you very much for providing the feedback about your recent stay at Ezulwini River Lodge and your kind comments regarding the staff, which we have passed on to them. We value feedback from our guests so that we know when we are doing things well or where we can improve if necessary, everything is taken on board. We pride ourselves on working with seasonal items and local growers and update our menus accordingly, so although you may deem our offerings simple, to our international clientele, they absolutely love the local South African cuisine whether it be vetkoeks & mince, or ostrich kebabs. At mealtimes you were offered two options for Starters, main course & desserts, which is not unusual at luxury lodges. This allows our chefs to focus on quality rather than quantity. At breakfast, a different starter was on offer every morning from freshly baked muffins, flapjacks, pancakes, homemade scones and seasonal fruit. Eggs are prepared as guests like them, so whatever you preferred, together with that, we offered bacon, sausage, fried potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, grilled tomato, baked beans and 3 varieties of toast. Our Menus do change from season to season, particularly with availability of fruit etc. All rooms have Mini Bar fridges and coffee stations and in fact, you were asked on arrival exactly what you would like stocked. Management stocked the mini bar fridge with the requested beers, sodas and spirits while you were at lunch on the very first day of check-in. They also asked you on a regular basis whether you needed additional beverages stocked, of which you replied that all was good. Our hosts and management went out of their way to meet your exacting requests. We do this so as not to stock a fridge with drinks that aren't to our guests taste. Ezulwini Lodges is very conscious of our carbon footprint and bottled water is harmful to the environment due to how much time is required for plastic to decompose. We offer keepsake reusable water bottles to each of our guests and this is the case for you. Also, you were advised to fill the bottles at the cold filtered water dispenser in the main lodge, which unfortunately you seem not have utilised. Filtered water was also provided in the room fridge which is replenished daily or as needed by our housekeeping team. Although you originally booked our Family Suite at the lodge, as you were making your trip as a special get away, this was upgraded as a gesture of goodwill to the suite that you stayed in. The room that you were accommodated in is an ultra-luxury suite that offers a dining area, a lounge area, together with an indoor and outdoor shower, a soaker tub, a private plunge pool with private seating on an expansive deck overlooking an active drainage line and river view. You were asked if there were any issues with the room, of which you did not advise management at the time. If a guest does not advise hosts or management of room issues during their stay, it is very difficult for us to rectify things after the event. Not that there is any admittance on the part of Ezulwini Lodges to the upkeep of the room or its condition as we believe and feel that there was absolutely no issue with it. Our aim is to provide guests with a wonderful game drive/safari experience and we understand that you were quick to compliment our guide and tracker team for finding you multiple lion and leopard sightings. It is of course too late to address this issue, but if you had approached us after your first safari, we could have added even more drinks per your request instead of your preferred vodka, lemonade and passion fruit cordial. The staff even went out of their way to make you "take away" drinks for your game drives. As you were the only guests for the first 2 nights, the game drive schedule was also altered as per your request, and we were more than happy to accommodate you. Unfortunately, as every South African citizen or resident knows, load shedding is an inconvenience and we try to accommodate guests as best as we can. As advised on check-in, we only operate the generator during reasonable hours (04:45 am – 23.00 pm) after which we recommend checking the schedule to make sure that guests have enough time to cool rooms down sufficiently. We print the schedule and leave a copy in the room for our guests to stay informed. We also advise of any Stage changes in load shedding. Many South African businesses still operate without a generator so we are very fortunate to be able to offer this to our guests. You were inconvenienced on two nights without electricity from 23.00 pm to 01.30 am, and then again at 05.00 am to 07.30 am (although the latter was during game drive time). For the day time outages there were some activities that might have alleviated things for you, for example you could have made use of the indoor/outdoor shower & plunge pool to cool down. The ceiling fans operate on the generator, as do the eighteen plus light bulbs in your room. As for an emergency light, our guests generally utilise their flashlight (torch) option on their cell phones or are encouraged to pack a flashlight (torch). We also tried to make your stay memorable with a romantic turndown in the evenings, a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine in your room(which you chose not to drink), romantic dinners, and even a birthday cake for your special occasion. Lastly, in response to your comment "something should have been done a long time ago", for Ezulwini Lodges you may like to know that we are in the process of converting to solar power. These things cannot happen overnight, and with the pandemic a not too distant memory, it has taken time for us to prepare and get us to the point where we can go ahead with such a big project. As you may imagine after all of the ways in which we tried to make your stay as enjoyable as possible we are quite disappointed in the comments that you have made and the low review rating scored. This is particularly odd especially as prior to departure you kindly completed our Suggestions and Comments form, giving a rating of approximately 4.5 and with a lowest score of 4 and ‘Enjoyment’ circled as a 5.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
From sunrise to past sunset, these lodges are perfection. The kind and knowledgeable staff provide to your every need. Two game drives each day are in comfortable range rovers. The canvas tops provide shade, but do not impede the viewing.
All of the food was delicious. Trying new, to me, local dishes was really fun.
I would highly recommend you try the dry South African cider.
The swimming pool was cool, but refreshing.
We saw,close-up, so many animals. I could watch the prides of lions all day long.
I highly recommend both the river lodge and Billy’s lodge. We enjoyed three days at each. You will not be disappointed.
All of the food was delicious. Trying new, to me, local dishes was really fun.
I would highly recommend you try the dry South African cider.
The swimming pool was cool, but refreshing.
We saw,close-up, so many animals. I could watch the prides of lions all day long.
I highly recommend both the river lodge and Billy’s lodge. We enjoyed three days at each. You will not be disappointed.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 12 Sept 2023
Dear Anna Harrison G, thank you very much for taking the time to let us know about your magical experience at Ezulwini, we really appreciate it. We are so glad that you were able to enjoy the game drives, close up animal viewing, together with the delicious foods, particularly the local dishes and beverages during your stay, thank you for sharing that with us. Thank you also for your recommendations for River and Billy's Lodges and please do keep in touch, you will always be welcomed back to the Ezulwini Family should you wish to return at some point in the future. Take care and best wishes.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
The entire experience was wonderful. The staff and service from arrival to departure was above and beyond. Sue goes out of her way with a huge smile to welcome you, there for any needs and was most pleasant.
Conrad and Hector, the tracker and safari guide were spectacular. They knew how to track the animals, when not to get too close, and had such an admirable respect for all of their wild life. They were so proud of their land and heritage, we even got a tribal dance !
The property was well maintained, upscale and can view game right from the different observation decks. One day a huge elephant with 3-4’ tusks walked right through, just grazing, such an awesome site.
I highly recommend Ezuliwini for your safari. It is just outside of Kruger, but the animals are free to roam in and out of Kruger onto the nearby reserves. In Kruger you are not allowed to go off road, but in the reserves (Ezulwini) you can. We got to drive to the animals, and not just look from afar. And best of all, no park traffic.
We will never forget this wonderful experience and this resort made it so much more relaxing and enjoyable.
Saw all the big 5 except the buffalo. They didn’t stop looking until we finally spotted the leopard on our last night.
Amie
Conrad and Hector, the tracker and safari guide were spectacular. They knew how to track the animals, when not to get too close, and had such an admirable respect for all of their wild life. They were so proud of their land and heritage, we even got a tribal dance !
The property was well maintained, upscale and can view game right from the different observation decks. One day a huge elephant with 3-4’ tusks walked right through, just grazing, such an awesome site.
I highly recommend Ezuliwini for your safari. It is just outside of Kruger, but the animals are free to roam in and out of Kruger onto the nearby reserves. In Kruger you are not allowed to go off road, but in the reserves (Ezulwini) you can. We got to drive to the animals, and not just look from afar. And best of all, no park traffic.
We will never forget this wonderful experience and this resort made it so much more relaxing and enjoyable.
Saw all the big 5 except the buffalo. They didn’t stop looking until we finally spotted the leopard on our last night.
Amie
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 3 Apr 2023
Dear amieamh, thank you very much for letting us know that you had an amazing time at Ezulwini Lodges, we appreciate it. It was a pleasure to host you and we have passed your lovely comments on to the team, they will be so happy to know that they have made your time there so special. Thank you also for sharing the details of your wonderful safari experience and we are very glad that you saw the majestic Ezulwini on your visit, together with the leopard, those sightings are always breathtaking! Please do keep in touch, you will always be welcomed back to the Ezulwini Family, should you wish to return at some point in the future. Take care and best wishes.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was the trip of a lifetime!!! I came with my mother to Ezulwini who had been once before me and it was the most incredible experience I've ever had. Ezulwini has the friendliest staff of any hotel/lodge I have ever been to - they are always smiling and cater to your every need. The FOOD is incredible as well! The trackers are unbelievably impressive as well, not only did we see the Big 5, we learned SO much about all the animals and the history of South Africa. The property is beautiful, we stayed in the room closest to the river and watched the animals go by from our private pool! They even clean the rooms twice a day while you are out on safari - not a SINGLE bug in our room which I'm sure is not easy to maintain. I cannot wait to come back!!!
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Really recommend the Mondzo suite - it is their nicest/most expensive one but so worth it....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 1 May 2024
Dear erinsT5292FG, thank you so much for letting us know that you had an amazing time at Ezulwini Lodges, that is really appreciated. It was our absolute pleasure to host you at and your Mother at Ezulwini and we are so glad that you have been able to have an amazing safari experience with her, lots of happy memories to take home and share. Thank you also for your lovely comments, and we have passed those on to the team, they will be delighted to know that they have made your time there so special. Please keep in touch, you will be welcomed back to the Ezulwini Family should you wish to return at some point in the future. Take care and best wishes.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My daughter and I purchased our stay at the River Lodge at a fund raising event without really knowing much about it. Our experience far exceeded any expectations . The remote lodge consisted of a lovely common area, cottages, a small bar, outdoor dining space and observation decks overlooking a river. It was the most tranquil and relaxing spot that I had ever experienced .
Everything was well maintained. Our cottage was enchanting with its own plunge pool and deck, the food was fabulous and the game drives mesmerizing.
Although every thing about the lodge was great, it was the staff would made our visit outstanding .
Hecter and Richard, our game drive team, provided an experience of a life time . We saw the “big five” as well dozens of other animal and birds. They were
Incredibly knowledgeable, taught us so much about the animals and the bush, as well as making us feel safe and comfortable at all times
We were so very happy to meet Glory. She took care of our every need from serving our outstanding meals, serving us wines and beverages, coordinating our schedules and sharing a friendship by joining us for evening chats and games at scrabble .
Of course none of this amazing hospitality happens on its own . Ange and her husband Craig , the general managers, were relaxed and made sure was everything was 1st class. We felt pampered, spoiled , relaxed, well rested and at the same time, exhilarated . Just an overall fabulous adventure!!
Everything was well maintained. Our cottage was enchanting with its own plunge pool and deck, the food was fabulous and the game drives mesmerizing.
Although every thing about the lodge was great, it was the staff would made our visit outstanding .
Hecter and Richard, our game drive team, provided an experience of a life time . We saw the “big five” as well dozens of other animal and birds. They were
Incredibly knowledgeable, taught us so much about the animals and the bush, as well as making us feel safe and comfortable at all times
We were so very happy to meet Glory. She took care of our every need from serving our outstanding meals, serving us wines and beverages, coordinating our schedules and sharing a friendship by joining us for evening chats and games at scrabble .
Of course none of this amazing hospitality happens on its own . Ange and her husband Craig , the general managers, were relaxed and made sure was everything was 1st class. We felt pampered, spoiled , relaxed, well rested and at the same time, exhilarated . Just an overall fabulous adventure!!
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 11 Apr 2024
Dear Babs W, thank you so much for taking the time to tell us that you that you a wonderful stay at Ezulwini River Lodge and that your experience far exceeded your expectations that great to know. Thank you also sharing your the description of your whole experience and it was an absolute pleasure to host you and your daughter at our lodges. We very much appreciate your comments regarding how the staff looked after you and we are so glad that you enjoyed everything about your stay. We have passed your lovely comments on to the team at River Lodge, they will be so happy to know that they have made your stay so memorable. Please do keep in touch, you will always have a very warm welcome should you wish to return to the Ezulwini Family at some point in the future. Take care and best wishes,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A unique adventure setting with fantastic safari guides and spotters offering 2 3-hour safaris daily. The staff is excellent, long-term employees, polite, and extremely service oriented and provides an authentic experience of South African culture. My wife and I had Romantic Dinners at the River Lodge and Billy's Lodge. We found the big five at both locations, and each location was a unique experience. The food was chef prepared and inspired. We were fortunate enough to be there when the owner was present, and he shared the origin story and background of his passion for the lodges. My wife and I give the highest recommendation. 5000 + pictures taken.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 26 Jun 2023
Dear ToddD1232, we really appreciate you letting us know that you had a fantastic time at Ezulwini Lodges, that is great to hear. It was an absolute pleasure to host you and your wife, at River and Billy's Lodges, and thank you so much for also telling us about your enjoyment of romantic dinners and overall description of your stay at both lodges. As you have seen, the teams at each lodge and (us as) owners are passionate in their love for not only Ezulwini Lodges, but as you have discovered, the local area, it's history and the amazing wildlife that they care about. We have passed also told them about your lovely comments and they will be delighted to know that they have made your Ezulwini Lodges safari experience so special. Please do keep in touch, you will always be very welcome to come back to the Ezulwini Family should you wish to return at some point in the future. Take care and best wishes.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our stay at the Ezulwini River Lodge was the highlight of our trip to South Africa. We visited in November 2021 for our honeymoon, and the staff did everything they could to make our stay romantic and unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, everything was taken care of so we were able to enjoy the beautiful grounds and relax in nature. Every game drive we went on was exciting. We saw the big 5 and countless other animals, and loved our stop for sundowners every day. All the food was exquisite, and the staff always made us feel so welcome! Ezulwini truly is a place of paradise, and we can’t wait to visit again.
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Date of stay: November 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Teresa Saad, Owner at Ezulwini Lodges
Responded 1 Dec 2021
Dear CatCantu, thank you very much for letting us know that you both enjoyed your stay and had a an amazing safari experience at Ezulwini River Lodge, your kind words mean a lot and are really appreciated. It was our pleasure to be able to host you, especially during your honeymoon, and thank you, your lovely comments have been passed on to the team, who will be delighted to know that they made your stay so special, particularly making it the highlight of your trip. You will always be very welcome back to the Ezulwini Family, please do keep in touch, and everyone will look forward to seeing you in the, hopefully, not too distant future. Take care and best wishes.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The standard rooms at River Lodge have no river view. Buffalo and Rhino rooms overlook a plains area and Lion & Leopard overlook thick bush. Other than Shipalatsi suite, the luxury suites have views of the river and seasonal river bed.
Hi Cjohnson,
We stayed at Ezulwini Lodge back in October 2018 and we were provided bottled water when going out on safari's and during meals. The water is safe to brush your teeth and we never had an issue or sickness during or stay there.
It is a great place to stay and the staff are very accommodating
Cheers
Charlie
Hi Connie - I believe that your questions have been answered by the lodge. However, if there is anything else that you need to know just touch base with your usual contact.
Thank you so much for your booking at Ezulwini River Lodge. I am happy to let you know that our renovations and upgrades should be completed by the middle of December and will not affect your stay in January. Please let us know if we can assist with any additional information regarding your stay. Best regards
Tess
Hello Annie
Some of our guests like to change for dinner, and you are welcome to wear whatever you find comfortable. In summer we recommend cotton clothing - shorts, dresses, light trousers, T shirts and sandals during the day, and lightweight long sleeved shirts and long trousers, sneakers or shoes in the evening. Winter evenings can be cool so bring a sweater, fleece or warm jacket, beanie, shoes/sneakers and socks. Please contact us by email and we will be happy to send you our packing list.
We look forward to hosting you at Ezulwini Lodges.
Best regards
Tess
"If you are flying a long distance. I would fly to Cape Town first for a few days to get over the time change and night flight."Read full review
"We arranged on country flights through Airlink and were very pleased. Use transfers arranged by resort to go to/from airport."Read full review
"Really recommend the Mondzo suite - it is their nicest/most expensive one but so worth it. Incredible views of the river and all the animals"Read full review
"This place is a slice of a perfect world Purpose from the tiniest termite to the biggest elephant Blows your mind "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
HK$7,747 - HK$8,511 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
ezulwini game hotel balule private game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingEZULWINI LODGES - Updated 2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Ezulwini Lodges
What are some of the property amenities at Ezulwini Lodges?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Ezulwini Lodges?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, blackout curtains, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Ezulwini Lodges?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Ezulwini Lodges?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Ezulwini Lodges?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Ezulwini Lodges have airport transportation?
Yes, Ezulwini Lodges offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Ezulwini Lodges?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans.
Does Ezulwini Lodges have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.